Dane Coles included All Blacks training squad
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All Blacks and Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles has been included in an All Blacks training squad in the build-up to the Rugby Championship.
There is no guarantee he will face Australia in the first two Tests of the Rugby Championship. Steve Hansen included the world-class hooker Coles in a 29-man group to train for two days in Christchurch.
The camp won't feature any players from the Crusaders, who are hosting the Lions in the Super Rugby final in the same city on Saturday.
Coles' inclusion comes nearly nine months after rupturing knee ligaments during a Test against France in Paris.
Hansen on Dane Coles’ recovery: “He’s not ready to play but should be available in late September.” Will likely be named in Investec Rugby Championship squad but return to play via Mitre 10 Cup. #AllBlacks
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 1, 2018
There were no surprises in Hansen's camp group with all the players who were available from the June series win over France included.
The only uncapped players are Chiefs' halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Blues' No.8 Akira Ioane.
All Blacks training camp squad:
Backs: Jordie Barrett, Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Ngani Laumape, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.
Forwards: Luke Whitelock, Akira Ioane, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Shannon Frizell, Vaea Fifita, Jackson Hemopo, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Nathan Harris.
Full story via tvnz.co.nz
